Off-Plan Sales Dominate As Dubai Realty Charges Into 2026

Dubai's property market propelled into the final months of 2025 with continued stability and robust performance, as off-plan transactions maintained a dominant share and the rental market strengthened - reflecting a city-wide confidence ahead of the New Year.

New data from real estate broker Betterhomes confirms the off-plan segment's resilience, while independent industry trackers echo the broader trend that Dubai remains one of the world's most active residential markets.

In November, Dubai logged 17,812 residential sales transactions worth Dh 46.0 billion. Off-plan deals accounted for roughly 12,429 - a hefty 70 per cent of the total - while secondary (ready) homes made up the remaining 5,383 transactions. The average price across all sales edged up by 2.5 per cent month-on-month to Dh 1,950 per square foot, underlining growing investor and end-user demand even amid a modest seasonal dip in volume.

Betterhomes also noted a 3 per cent increase in buyer leads during the month, indicating sustained interest in Dubai's residential stock, particularly in established apartment hubs such as Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), and villa communities including Jumeirah Golf Estate, Dubai Land and Mohammed Bin Rashid City.

“You see strength without the noise,” said Betterhomes CEO Louis Harding.“With prices up, Dh 46 billion transacted, and buyer leads growing, the sales market is moving with confidence driven by real demand and well-positioned projects.”

Independent sources corroborate the off-plan dominance: according to a November 2025 market report from Springfield Properties, off-plan accounted for approximately 71.6 per cent of all transactions. That report recorded a total of 17,777 deals worth Dh 45.79 billion, with 12,735 off-plan and 5,042 ready-home sales. The consistency between Betterhomes and Springfield underscores a clear message that the off-plan sector remains the engine of Dubai's property momentum.

This strong performance comes after a rally earlier in 2025. During Q1, transactions surged 23 per cent year-on-year to over 42,000 deals, and total sales value jumped 29 per cent to around Dh 114 billion. Off-plan properties accounted for 59 per cent of those transactions, signalling how new development continues to draw both investors and end-users alike.

Indeed, by the midpoint of 2025, citywide residential prices had already registered an uptick - apartment and villa values increased, and investor activity remained high across core communities.

On the leasing front, the market also displayed signs of consolidation and tenant confidence. November saw 45,771 rental contracts, of which 26,763 - or nearly 59 per cent - were renewals, while 18,873 were new leases.

The high renewal ratio suggests that many tenants prefer stability over relocation, even as rent levels vary across communities. For example, villas in Dubai Festival City saw a 4.5 per cent rise in asking rents during the month, while properties in Dubai Hills Estate moved up by about 2 per cent. Lease payment flexibility remained a feature: four-cheque payment plans made up 34 per cent of agreements, whereas single-cheque deals accounted for 27 per cent.

Rupert Simmonds, director of Leasing at Betterhomes, emphasised the clear trend:“With renewals making up nearly 60 per cent of all activity and strong interest across our core communities, tenants are prioritising neighbourhoods that support everyday living as we head into the new year.”

The composition of demand is revealing. Leasing continues to cluster around well-connected, amenity-rich apartment communities - JVC, Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis - while villa demand remains concentrated in family-friendly master-planned areas like Dubai Hills Estate, Damac Hills 2 and The Valley. This is consistent with broader mid-year data that showed apartment rentals remain the backbone of leasing activity, with villa and townhouse demand largely driven by families seeking suburban lifestyles and larger living spaces.

What's driving this sustained momentum? In addition to new supply and flexible payment plans for off-plan purchasers, Dubai's expanding population, growing expatriate inflows, and attractive visa and residency programmes continue to underpin demand. Many buyers appear focused on long-term value and growth potential rather than short-term speculation.

Moreover, continuous infrastructure development - transport connectivity, community amenities, integrated master-plan management - is helping turn off-plan commitments into viable long-term assets. As many developers stagger handovers over the coming years, investors are betting on value appreciation, yielding rental income, or eventual resale once units are completed.

Still, some analysts urge caution. While off-plan is dominant, oversupply - especially of apartments - remains a potential challenge. With thousands of units expected to be delivered in the next 12–24 months, absorption rates and actual take-up will be crucial. Market watchers suggest that villa demand and top-tier apartments may hold up better, but mid-range apartments could face pricing pressure if supply outpaces demand.

Property market consultants said as 2025 winds down and Dubai looks ahead to 2026, the trends paint a picture of a residential market that is stable, diversified, and resilient.“The continuing dominance of off-plan sales, combined with healthy leasing renewals, suggests a market anchored in long-term demand rather than speculative bubbles.”

MENAFN11122025000049011007ID1110469186